WEEK 3 ASSIGNMENT: GRADUATE SKILLS SELF ASSESSMENT
If you were to in fact build the foundation of a castle—or a house, or some other structure—you would first need to make a plan. Then you would need to take stock of the materials and tools you have on hand with which to work. Do you have enough concrete for the size of the structure? Will you need steel for reinforcements? And what tools do you have to weatherproof the concrete?
This practice of taking stock is important in graduate study as well. What kinds of skills do you have at your disposal now? How do you perceive your abilities? A self-assessment allows you to reflect on the competencies you currently have and others to cultivate throughout your program. In this Assignment, you assess your graduate-level skills and then summarize the findings in a paper.
TO PREPARE
· Take the Graduate Skills Self-Assessment found in the Learning Resources.
· Reflect on your assessment results. What are your strengths and areas for improvement based on the graduate-level skills presented?
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
BY DAY 7
Write a 2-page paper, in the APA 7th edition course paper template, describing your self-assessment results, including your strengths and improvement areas. How will you address the identified gaps in your graduate-level skills? What resources will you access to fill the gaps? Based on your self-assessment results and reflection, what concerns you about graduate work? Be sure that your paper contains the three elements of an academic paper: introduction (with thesis statement), body of the paper, and conclusion.
If you choose to include evidence in your assignment, be sure that you paraphrase all evidence and follow APA guidelines for citing sources in the body of the paper and on the reference list.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
WEEK 3: LEARNING RESOURCES
Library Searching in Human Services
· Walden University Library. (n.d.-e).
Subject research: Human services.Links to an external site.
· Walden University Quick Answers. (n.d.-b).
How do I find original or primary research that analyzes empirical data?Links to an external site.
· Walden University Quick Answers. (n.d.-a).
How do I find a persistent or permanent link to an article in a library database?Links to an external site.
· Walden University Academic Skills Center. (n.d.-b).
Reading research articlesLinks to an external site.
[Self-paced tutorial].
This tutorial includes a breakdown of the sections of a research article and tips for reading strategically and efficiently.
· Walden University Library. (2019, September 16).
How to read a scholarly articleLinks to an external site.
[Video].
Scholarly Writing and Citations
· American Psychological Association. (2020). Works credited in the text. In
Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed., pp. 253-280).
· Walden University Writing Center. (n.d.-b).
Citations: OverviewLinks to an external site.
.
· Walden University Writing Center. (n.d.-i).
Reference list: OverviewLinks to an external site.
.
· Walden University Writing Center. (n.d.-m).
Walden templates: General templatesLinks to an external site.
.
Professional and Academic Skills
· Indeed. (2020, March 10).
Communication skills: Definitions and examples.Links to an external site.
Indeed Career Guide.
This webpage provides general information on communication skills in the workplace. As you continue in your program, you will hone communication skills specific to the role of advanced human services professional practitioner.
· National Organization for Human Services. (n.d.).
What is human services?Links to an external site.
Review the information under the heading “Generic Human Services Professional Competencies.”
· Walden University Career Planning and Development. (Producer). (2018, August 24).
Ten steps to enhance your professional imageLinks to an external site.
[Video].
·
Document:
Graduate Skills Self-Assessment
Download Graduate Skills Self-Assessment(Word document)